10 YEARS OF FRENCH ABOLITIONIST LAW

A decade of abolitionism in France: celebrating progress, continuing the fight

Ten years ago, France adopted the Law of 13 April 2016 aimed at strengthening the fight against the prostitution system and supporting people in situations of prostitution. This abolitionist law put an end to the criminalization of prostituted persons, created pathways to exit prostitution, and strengthened efforts to curb demand by prohibiting the purchase of sexual acts.

It represents a major step forward for the protection of human rights and for equality between women and men.

To mark the tenth anniversary of this law, CAP International, in partnership with its member organizations, Mouvement du Nid and Fondation Scelles, organized a major international event in Paris from 12 to 14 April 2026.

Relive these three days of feminist and abolitionist mobilization through our recordings and photo galleries!

Global March of Survivors and Allies for the Abolition of Prostitution

On Sunday, 12 April 2026, the Global March for the Abolition of the Prostitution System brought together more than 800 people in the streets of Paris. At the head of the march were 50 survivors from 14 countries (including Colombia, South Korea, Sweden, the United States, and Germany), followed by associations, trade unions, student organizations, political representatives from the Socialist and Communist parties, and many supporters and allies.

Members of CAP International, alongside representatives of feminist and abolitionist organizations from around the world, travelled to take part in this demonstration of solidarity. Survivors and allies stood united in their shared demand for social justice, equality, and dignity. To learn more about the demands put forward by the March and its signatories, please read our call to action:

OUR CALL TO ACTION

Far beyond celebrating France’s abolitionist law, this international mobilization carried a powerful message: to reaffirm the need to abolish the prostitution system worldwide and to express unwavering solidarity with all those who suffer from its violence and exploitation.

“Abolition In Action” Conference at the French National Assembly

On Monday, 13 April, 2026, the “Abolition In Action” conference was held at the French National Assembly under the high patronage of the Ministry for Equality between Women and Men and the President of the National Assembly.

The conference brought together the ministers responsible for gender equality in France and Sweden, key stakeholders who contributed to the adoption and implementation of the 2016 law, as well as members of parliament, representatives of feminist and grassroots organizations, justice professionals, survivors, international partners, and researchers.

Together, they took stock of the past ten years and discussed the future prospects of abolitionism in the years ahead.

You can view the programme for this event here.

Exiting the Prostitution System: Voices from the Field

On Tuesday, 14 April 2026, La Cité Audacieuse, France’s first community hub dedicated to promoting women’s rights, advancing equality between women and men, and combating gender-based violence, hosted the event “EXIT”, focused on pathways out of prostitution and the fight against the prostitution system.

On this occasion, four CAP International member organizations—Maiti Nepal, South Kolkata Hamari Muskan, Empodérame, and Talita Asia—working respectively in Nepal, India, Colombia, and Mongolia, shared their expertise and field experience. They highlighted the impact of the prostitution system in their respective countries, identified the populations most targeted and most vulnerable to exploitation, and presented best practices for building sustainable alternatives and providing comprehensive support to individuals seeking to exit prostitution.

Financial Partners

MILLIONS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN PROSTITUTION NEED YOU.

By donating to CAP International, you are contributing to a world free from the prostitution system and the trafficking of human beings for sexual exploitation.

We advance laws by bringing the voices of survivors and frontline realities to institutions. We challenge the systems that enable the commodification of women and the impunity of perpetrators.

Together, let us abolish this violence against women.

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